You may be aware that the government is progressing legislation which removes the obligations for Education Boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Hutt City Kindergartens acknowledges and supports the many Boards and education providers who have chosen to continue honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, despite this legislative change.
Our kindergarten whānau come from many places around the world, bringing with them language, culture, identity and the strength of knowing who they are. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is about living in partnership between tangata whenua and tangata tiriti (all others living in Aotearoa). At Hutt City Kindergartens we embrace and celebrate this diversity as it enriches our kindergartens, shapes who we are, and is a gift our tamariki and whānau bring with them every day.
While we celebrate this multicultural richness, we also acknowledge the foundation upon which all of us stand: the whenua of Te Āti Awa, the mana whenua of this place, and te ao Māori. Our strength as a community comes not from setting these identities apart, but from honouring them together.
Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi has never been a matter of compliance for us—it is foundational to who we are. It guides our values, relationships, and the education we provide for our tamariki. As part of our strategic priorities, our efforts and resources are focused on people, partnerships and the planet. Our work evolves through a deliberate focus and practice that gives effect to the articles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi.
Our continued commitment to all principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi regardless of legislation, ensures we uphold the mana of tangata whenua as enduring holders of knowledge and connection to this land. In doing so, tamariki see their identity, language and culture valued, while we strengthen authentic relationships grounded in respect for the past and the aspiration for a more inclusive future.
At Hutt City Kindergartens, our curriculum and practices remain grounded in Te Tiriti.
This means we continue to:
• Celebrate te reo Māori and use tikanga Māori in daily learning
• Ensure Māori tamariki can learn as Māori and remain grounded in their whakapapa and identity
• Strengthen inclusive learning environments that benefit all learners, Māori and non-Māori alike
• Recognise Te Āti Awa as our mana whenua, and share the Pūrākau of our area, supporting tamariki to understand our shared history and culture.
The government’s decision to remove these obligations does not align with our Associations values or with what we believe is best for our tamariki, whānau and our community. This stance is not political, it reflects our professional ethics, educational responsibilities and commitment to equitable education.
Hutt City Kindergartens firmly believes that our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is foundational to this approach. Removing this obligation risks undoing much of the progress that has been achieved and sends a message that
Te Tiriti commitments in the education sector are negotiable or expendable. We are committed to continuing these practices as the right approach for our tamariki, whānau and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ma nga pakiaka e tu ai te rakau - with strong roots a tree will stand
